The Global Positioning System -- more commonly referred to as GPS -- was first developed in 1978 by the United States Department of Defense.  Over 30 years later, GPS has become a vital tool in navigation, land-surveying, and map making. Each year, the United States government spends approximately $750 million to maintain the system. 

What Does the GPS System Involve?

The Global Positioning System is a collection of satellites orbiting the earth.  These satellites transmit signals to receivers, from which the receiver’s direction, location, and speed can be determined. Currently, there are more than two dozen such satellites orbiting the earth.

The GPS consists of three segments: the space segment, the control segment, and the user segment.

• The space segment refers to the GPS satellites that are in earth's orbit.  These satellites are distributed equally throughout six orbital planes, which are centered on the earth. Each of these satellites makes two full orbits every sidereal day, meaning that it passes over the same region of the earth once every day.

• The control segment monitors and tracks the flight paths of the satellites. This tracking is done from stations in Colorado, Kwaialein, Hawaii, Ascension Island, and Diego Garcia. Officials at these locations provide the satellites with navigational updates, which provide the GPS satellites with time and space weather data.

• The user segments are the receivers of the system’s signals.  Although the receives come in a variety of formats, there is one common feature:  All GPS receivers have an antenna. The number of channels a receiver has describes the number of satellites it can receive signals from (a modern receiver could have anywhere from five to twenty channels). Many receivers can send signals to cars and personal computers.

Common GPS Applications.

GPS technology is frequently used by the military for targeting weapons and as nuclear detonation detectors. For navigation purposes, GPS is also used in airplanes, cars, and boats. Outdoor sports enthusiasts, such as hikers and bikers, use the technology to find where they are going.  Other common uses of GPS information include mapping, land surveying, tracking, archeology, emergency services, weather prediction, and skydiving.

Nowadays, even golfers are relying on GPS to improve their games.

Using a GPS System.

The idea for a GPS tracking device was created and developed by the United States military. Its earliest uses were for finding and rescuing personnel, and locating areas for investigation. While the GPS system has moved into the civilian sector, it is still used for military purposes.

There are several different brands and GPS models geared directly for the consumer. Businesses, such as the long-haul trucking sector, are finding that GPS tracking devices can save time in providing customer service and money.

Perhaps one of the most common consumer GPS uses involves automotive navigation systems.  Drivers can keep their eyes on the road and listen to turn-by-turn instructions from their navigation units.

Basic GPS Uses are Easy and User-Friendly.

GPS systems are quite simple to use, even for people who are scared off by new technology.  A GPS system is generally quite user-friendly, and with very little instruction, people can begin to do some basic functions on the unit. One of the most basic functions is to put in a desired destination, and then put in the starting location. Instead of using a paper map, the unit will show you the most effective way to get to your final destination. It will give real time locations of where you are, tell you how many more miles to your stopping point, and even track the speed of your travels. It can tell you the direction of travel with the built-in compass, and it can also tell you your exact GPS location and waypoint. Everyone can benefit from the use of a GPS system, and the easiest way to get started if you are new to this type of technology is to ask someone who has one.